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HON. CHARLES ALBERT DAVIDSON. As one who has attained distinction in his profession and has been chosen to fill high office, Charles Albert Davidson, of Newton, is recognized as one of the able members of the Jasper county bar. He was born in Shelbyville, Indiana, February 17, 1861, and is a son of Benjamin D. and Mary E. (Andrews) Davidson, the former of whom was born in 1824, at Lexington, Kentucky. In 1835 Benjamin D. Davidson was taken to Indiana by his parents, and there followed the trade of blacksmith. In 1850 he was married to Mary E. Andrews, a native of the Hoosier state, and they had a family of eight children, Charles Albert being the sixth in order of birth. In 1872 Mr. Davidson brought his family to Illinois, and after spending about four years in Clark county, removed to Jasper county, where the remainder of his life was spent in working at the trade of blacksmith, and his death occurred April 2, 1909, his wife having passed away in 1865. Both were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in political matters Mr. Davidson was a stanch Democrat.

Charles Albert Davidson attended the public schools of Jasper county, and continued his studies in the Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1880. Returning to Newton, he entered an attorney's office and faithfully prosecuted his law studies, being admitted to the bar in 1885. In that year he was elected city attorney of Newton, and served in that office until 1888, when he was chosen state's attorney, a capacity in which he acted until 1896. In 1898 Mr. Davidson received the nomination for the office of state senator from the forty-fifth district of Illinois, and was elected by a handsome majority, serving with distinction until 1902. At present he is serving as a member of the Kaskaskia Land Commission, to which he was appointed by Gov. Charles S. Deneen in 1911. In that year he formed a partnership with Charles D. Fithian, present state's attorney, and in addition to having a large and representative law practice is successfully engaged in the mortgage and loan business. Of great executive ability and business sagacity, he has satisfactorily met every demand made upon his versatile talents and long experience as a man of affairs. He is one of the leaders of the Democratic party in Jasper county, where he has made his influence felt in various ways. Fraternally he is prominent as a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, of the Red Men, the Odd Fellows and the Court of Honor, and is popular with the members of the local lodges.

In 1887 Mr. Davidson was united in marriage with Miss Cora M. Bogard, of Newton, Illinois. Mrs. Davidson is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is active in religious and charitable work. In his profession Mr. Davidson has not only the technical and practical knowledge essential to eminent success, but also the tolerance, breadth of view and generous public spirit which characterize the superior man.